Reeflo Super Dart Gold "current" reviews

[Cavediver50]

Hi, I would like to know if anyone has real world experience within the past couple of years with the "new" Reeflo Super Dart Gold pump? I have read on here some older threads (circa 2012ish) of many problems, bad bearings, leaking seals, and so on, even with brand new pumps right out of the box! Have things improved? I am seriously considering 2 of these new style pumps for some closed loops in a tank that is going to be setup, but I don't want to have these issues with bad bearings, leaky seals from the get go. I would appreciate immensely if anyone can chime on on these specific model pumps??? Thanks in advance

 

[Ron Reefman]

IMHO the Reeflo design is getting rather old school. They are big, they have seals, they run warm to hot and they rust over time. Oh, and they are 2 or 3 times too expensive! The only real advantage I see is they can move water a bit better than current DC pumps... but it's a small difference it the case of the pump you are looking at.

I used a Reeflo pump on my CL for 2 years. The seal failed, the motor got loud over time and the case rusted. I've used a Jebao DC12000 (the original version) for almost twice as long now and it still runs cool (external). Oh, and it was less than half the price of the Reeflo. Now the newer DCT15000 can pump 3500gph, with 10 speed, a feed cycle, soft start, use less energy and costs 50% less. I just put a new DC15000 in my 125g system and I have to run it at the 2nd slowest speed or my 1" drain can't keep up!

BTW, I bought 4 of the DC12000 and put 3 to work in different tanks. The 4th was a backup/spare. Almost 4 years later and the backup is still sitting on the shelf unused.

 

[Cavediver50]

Thx Ron,
I am asking because I need the high flow rate and super quietness as it will be in my main living room. This tank is going to be on the bigger side, and I plan 2 run 4x Vertex Mocean 3500 along the backside on 2 closed loops (2 Moceans on each pump). I need the flow to get across the tank, as it will be a mainly SPS tank. I have been looking at some DC pumps, but the flow rate is lacking on most. If I manage to find a DC pump that can handle the flow, I would definitely prefer it!

 

[Saskswimfan]

Longtime lurker, but barely post. Can't speak on behalf on the dart, but purchased a new hammerhead/barracuda gold. Not impressed at at all ran for less than 3 days before it starting puking water out of the seal. I'm not a mechanic but fortunately I work with a whole bunch of them. I bought a used older hammerhead, not a gold as a backup. The previous owner ran it for years and warned that the bearings and seals might need to be replaced. We opened them both up to replace the bearings and seals. Totally sad. The old pump looked in better shape than the new one. The golds back bearing was damn near seized because the bearings were packed poorly, the front seal was loose fitting in the plastic volute. The fan cover was seated poorly on the back and the fan would nick it until we adjusted it. The plastic was machined horribly, there was actually a fine plastic burr that was siliconed into the seal that I think should have been caught at assembly. Really lacked quality on the assembly and the plastic parts. As for noise both seem fairly quiet, the mechanic spoke highly of the baldor motor. Must say Reeflo's customer service was awesome. Beth was quick to send out replacement parts at no cost. Must say pump makes me nervous, going to eventually use them on the outdoor pond, and replace with an in sump pump. Just my 2 cents

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

Cave diver50,
There are 2 DC pumps that would fit your tank.
Red Dragon by Royal Exclusive or Abyzz.
Sit down when you look @ the price.

 

[slief]

I ran Reeflo Super Dart Golds for a few years before switching to Royal Exclusiv RD3 230's. I had a pair of them under my tank before the upgade and one of those was the most recent version of the Superdart Gold. I really like those pumps and are among my favorite AC based pumps. They were quiet and pretty efficient for the amount of flow they produce and they transfer very little heat compared to similar style pumps. They are very resonantly priced IMO. They are also very reliable with their Baldor motors and should the seal go out, it is a very simple fix.

 

[m0nkie]

Thx Ron,
I am asking because I need the high flow rate and super quietness as it will be in my main living room. This tank is going to be on the bigger side, and I plan 2 run 4x Vertex Mocean 3500 along the backside on 2 closed loops (2 Moceans on each pump). I need the flow to get across the tank, as it will be a mainly SPS tank. I have been looking at some DC pumps, but the flow rate is lacking on most. If I manage to find a DC pump that can handle the flow, I would definitely prefer it!

Cave diver50,
There are 2 DC pumps that would fit your tank.
Red Dragon by Royal Exclusive or Abyzz.
Sit down when you look @ the price.

:lolspin: so true..

I just bought the RD3 230 return pump for the next setup. Reason I spent so much on the pump is because it is so quiet. I first noticed this when I bought a small RD3 50 watt pump for a skimmer. Turned it to 100% and could not hear the pump next to it. pure silent! Then I checked out a few other built and listened to their pumps.. coughed up some $$$ and went with Royal Exclusiv.

I don't hear the skimmer standing next to the tank.

 

[Cavediver50]

Thanks for the input everyone..... Vine, you weren't kidding, huh??!!!

 

[HippieSmell]

Isn't there a high end seal available that solves the leaking problem?